Cadillac Celestiq. A challenger to Rolls and Bentley?

There’s no doubt we’re living at the end of an era—the era of combustion engine cars. The trend clearly shows that in a few decades, traditional motoring will disappear for good, and combustion engines will be replaced by hydrogen fuel cells and electric motors. The automotive industry already offers a wide range of “EVs”. Even the most luxury brands are following the trend. Rolls-Royce and Bentley have already announced their own electric models. Cadillac has also seized the moment of change, preparing to launch its own luxury EV.

The atmosphere at the royal court suddenly seemed to thicken. Until now, Bentley and Rolls-Royce have reigned supreme in the luxury car segment, but they may soon have to make room for a new contender. Their brand, prestige, and technology have so far ensured that no one could threaten their position. However, the industry is undergoing an electric revolution, creating an opportunity to break into the niche and offer customers a similar product with comparable or even superior performance and a fashionable powertrain.

Cadillac Celestiq. The American brand is set to shake up the luxury car segment

American carmaker Cadillac will soon deliver its first luxury electric vehicle – Cadillac Celestiq – to customers. According to the latest available data, the company has already secured contracts for 600 to 750 units of this model. The Celestiq will compete with models from Rolls-Royce and Bentley. Preliminary estimates suggest that the luxury EV will be available for $340,000. This price positions it between two Rolls-Royce models – the Rolls-Royce Ghost at $180,000 and the Rolls Royce Spectre at $420,000. In turn, the Cadillac Celestiq will be significantly more expensive than Bentley’s electric model, which is expected to cost around Bentley, which is expected to cost around $274,000.

The Cadillac Celestiq will be assembled by hand. The company plans to produce about 2 cars a day, although—as already announced—not every day. In reality, this will be between 400 and 500 units per year.

Cadillac Celestiq vs Rolls-Royce Spectre. The American challenges the Brit

The Celestiq is equipped with a 111 kWh battery and two electric motors delivering 600 hp. With this kind of “engine,” the Cadillac can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, while offering an impressive range of around 300 miles ( over 482 km). The Caddy will feature all-wheel drive and an All Wheel Steering (AWS) system. For comparison, the dark horse from Rolls-Royce—the Spectre model—comes with a 102 kWh battery and two electric motors producing 584 hp. Its maximum range on a single charge is 260 miles ( over 418 km), and it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds.

Considering the technical specifications, the initial winner of the duel appears to be Celestiq. However, among luxury brands, performance is less often the deciding factor than brand prestige —and in this respect, the clear favorite remains Rolls-Royce.